TAMPA, Fla. — The latest stunt pulled by Yankees general manager Brian Cashman proved less daring than his last, the disastrous sky-diving jaunt that left him with a broken leg. But this one offered a better window into the team’s prospects for 2013, and revealed the club’s zeal to fill the two gaping holes in their lineup.

With Curtis Granderson and Mark Teixeira both out until at least May, the team has spitballed creative solutions. They’ve contacted inactive players like first baseman Derrek Lee and third baseman Scott Rolen. Monday afternoon, they inked Ben Francisco, an outfielder discarded by Cleveland, to a minor-league deal.

But a few hours before, as a group of reporters surrounded him before the team’s game against St. Louis, Cashman unleashed an even more farfetched idea.

"I just talked to some guys with ESPN in the dugout," he said. "And I said, ‘Do me a favor. I just looked up Chipper Jones’ agent and I didn’t have his number. If you tweet for me that I would have an interest, he would be perfect.’ I said, ‘it’ll get to Chipper real quick and I’ll hear back if he has any interest.’"

Opening Day arrives in less than three weeks. A favorite to replace either Granderson or Teixeira has yet to emerge. The in-camp pickings are slim. Dan Johnson has managed one hit — and committed three errors. Matt Diaz is batting .190. Juan Rivera has hit well, but the rest of the contenders are unproven players like Ronnier Mustelier and Zoilo Almonte.

With Kevin Youkilis capable at either first base or third, Cashman can use his imagination. Thus, his interest in Larry Wayne Jones. Jones hung up his spikes last October after 19 seasons with Atlanta. He conducted a nationwide retirement tour in 2012. His answer to Cashman was swift.

"Enough with the rumors!" Jones wrote on his Twitter account a few hours later. "While I am flattered with the speculation (about) being lured out of retirement, I’m happy with life as a bad golfer!"

His agent, BB Abbott, spoke with Jones after a glut of reporters called to relay Cashman’s comments. After talking with his client, Abbott explained that while Jones has "the utmost respect for the Yankees organization," his "legacy is and always will be with the Braves."

Despite the jokes, to consider Jones’ candidacy is almost cruel. He fits so well. Even at 40, his on-base plus slugging percentage last season was .832. He still possesses a sweet stroke from each side of the plate. "I’d take Larry in a heartbeat," Cashman said. "I think everybody would."

Cashman understood his gambit was a lark. The pursuit of Lee, a two-time All-Star with Chicago, appears more realistic. Lee hit 19 homers and posted a reasonable .771 on-base plus slugging percentage with Baltimore and Pittsburgh in 2011. He sat out 2012, and turned 37 last September.

But Cashman received a glowing scouting report from special assistant Jim Hendry, the former Cubs general manager who traded for Lee after the 2003 season. Cashman described Lee as "never not in shape."

"As of right now, he’s not here obviously," Cashman said. "I think he was intrigued. That’s where we’re at."

Cashman painted the pursuit of Rolen as more unlikely. Shoulder injuries limited him to just 157 games with Cincinnati the last two seasons. He remains unsigned.

"I think he chose not to play," Cashman said. "I think he had a legitimate offer from the Reds and he chose not to play is my understanding."

So here we are. The competition continues. Francisco will join camp later this week. Cashman hopes Lee might, too. Rolen is a long shot.